Pain au Chocolat (Classic Chocolate-Filled Croissants)
Buttery layers of laminated pastry cradle ribbons of semisweet chocolate, giving each bite a crisp exterior and tender, airy crumb. Pain au Chocolat (Classic Chocolate-Filled Croissants) stands out for its clean shaping, well-defined layers, and glossy finish that shatters delicately. Serve warm for breakfast, brunch, or an elegant coffee break treat.
- Prep45 mins
- Cook15 mins
- Serves9
- DifficultyHard
- 1
Gather the ingredients.
- 2
Pour water into the bread machine pan; add the flour. Sprinkle the milk powder over the flour. Place the sugar, salt, and 2 tablespoons of softened butter in the corners of the pan. Make a small indent in the top of the dry ingredients and place the yeast in the indent. Run the bread machine on the basic dough setting.
- 3
Meanwhile, lay out a sheet of waxed or parchment paper. Shape the remaining 1/2 cup of butter into a 3x5-inch rectangle on the waxed paper; wrap it and chill until needed.
- 4
Remove the butter from the refrigerator and let it soften while you roll out the dough. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface; roll it into an 8x12-inch rectangle. Place the butter on half of the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border on 3 sides. Fold the other half of the dough over the butter and press the edges firmly to seal.
- 5
Roll the dough into a 6x14-inch rectangle. Fold it in thirds from the long sides, like folding a business letter. Cover the dough loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
- 6
Remove the dough from the refrigerator. Place it on a lightly floured surface with the folded edge facing you. Roll it out again into a 6x14-inch rectangle, then fold into thirds. Cover with plastic and chill for 20 minutes.
- 7
Repeat step 5, then chill the dough for 30 minutes.
- 8
In a small bowl, beat the egg yolk and milk together; set aside. Grease two baking sheets.
- 9
Roll the dough into a 12x21-inch rectangle. Cut it into thirds in both directions to make 9 rectangles. Divide the chocolate among the rectangles. Lightly brush the egg yolk mixture around the edges of each piece. Starting at a short end, roll each piece of dough around the chocolate; press the edges to seal.
- 10
Place the croissants on the prepared baking sheets; cover with greased plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 30 minutes.
- 11
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Brush the tops of the pastries with the remaining egg yolk mixture.
- 12
Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 15 minutes. Cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer the croissants to wire racks. Serve warm or at room temperature.
- Calories 289.41 kcal Moderate
- Protein 7.79 g Moderate
- Carbs 42.51 g Moderate
- Total Fat 11.01 g Moderate
- Saturated Fat 6.9 g High
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source
- Cholesterol 32.71 mg Moderate
- Sodium 17.55 mg Low Source
- Fiber 3.17 g Moderate
- Sugar 13.68 g High
- Added Sugar 12.04 g High
- Calcium 9.78 mg Low Source
- Iron 4.1 mg Good Source
- Potassium 26.63 mg Low Source
- Vitamin A 34.2 mcg_rae Low Source
- Vitamin C 2.12 mg Low Source
- Vitamin D 0.25 mcg Low Source
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Eggs 🥚
- Milk 🥛
- Wheat 🌾
- Gluten
- Chocolate 🍫